How to Build Trust with Your Team in 90 Days or Less

Trust is the currency of leadership. Think of it like a pocket full of change. When you trust you give out the change, when whatever task is fulfilled, you get the change back. However, when you break trust or faith with someone, you lose the change. Lose enough, and teams wither.

While many leaders believe trust takes years to build, the truth is: with intention, humility, and consistency, trust can begin growing immediately, often within 90 days. Whether you're stepping into a new leadership role or trying to rebuild after a tough season, trust-building is always the right place to start.

Here’s how to do it, deliberately and quickly.

Trust Is the Foundation of Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about vision; it’s about relationships. If your team doesn’t trust you, they won’t follow you. They might comply out of obligation, but they won’t commit from the heart.

High-trust teams:

• Communicate openly

• Handle conflict with grace

• Feel psychologically safe to take risks

• Perform at higher levels

As Jesus modeled with His disciples, trust unlocks influence. He listened. He served. He led with integrity, and people followed Him willingly.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…” – Luke 16:10, ESV

Faithfulness, especially in the small things, is where trust begins.

The 90-Day Trust Plan for Leaders

Here’s a practical roadmap for intentionally building trust with your team over the next 90 days.

Days 1–30: Show Up Authentically

Be visible. Be human. Be consistent.

• Schedule regular one-on-ones with each team member

• Ask questions, and listen more than you talk

• Be transparent about what you know and what you’re still learning

• Share a little about your values, your goals, and your heart

Your team doesn’t need a perfect leader, they need presence of a leader who cares. When people know you care, they care more about the mission.

Days 31–60: Deliver on Small Promises

Trust is built in follow-through.

• If you say you’ll follow up - do it

• If you promise feedback - give it

• If you commit to a deadline - meet it

Your words shape your team’s perception of your character. Consistent reliability, even in small things, builds deep respect.

Pro Tip: Under-promise and over-deliver. This is a rule I learned long ago. If you think something will take 7 days, tell people 10. 3 days? Tell them 5. Give yourself extra time so if something goes wrong, you can still meet the deadline. If all goes well? You are a rockstar exceeding expectations!

Days 61–90: Empower and Include

Trust becomes mutual when leadership becomes shared.

• Delegate meaningful tasks, not just the busy work

• Ask for their input on decisions that affect them

• Recognize their strengths and celebrate their wins

• Own your mistakes when they happen

When you give your team room to grow, make decisions, and use their voices, they begin to trust not just you, but themselves.

Share the spotlight. Brag on your team publicly and specifically.

What to Avoid if You Want to Build Trust Quickly

• Micromanaging: It communicates that you don’t trust them

• Inconsistency: Changing direction or mood without explanation confuses your team

• Overpromising: Saying “yes” to everything erodes confidence when you can’t deliver

• Avoiding conflict: Ignoring issues signals you aren’t protecting the team culture

Trust isn’t just built by what you do; it can also be destroyed by what you neglect.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need years to earn your team’s trust. What you do need is consistency, humility, and heart.

If you focus on showing up authentically, following through faithfully, and empowering intentionally, you’ll be amazed at the trust you can cultivate in just 90 days.

Ready to accelerate your leadership growth? Consider working on a personal growth plan designed around your DISC Personality Type. Learn more at dysonleadership.com/disc